Global private equity thought-leaders to speak at the first SuperReturn Middle East conference in Dubai

Headlining speakers at the event will include eminent and powerful global private equity figures, such as Investcorp founder and CEO, Nemir A Kirdar, The Carlyle Group's co-founder David Rubenstein and Texas Pacific Group's founding partner David Bondermann.

They will be joined by such regional investors, as Qatar Investment Authority's head of strategic and private equity, Kenneth Shen, and Dubai International Capital's CEO, Rabih Khoury, as well as by regional figures such as the Dubai International Centre Authority's (DIFCA) Chief Economist Dr Nasser Saidi and Abraaj Capital's vice chairman and CEO, Arif Naqvi.

Guest speakers include Harvard Business School's Professor of Investment Banking and renowned private equity guru, Josh Lerner, and from IMD Business School and University of Lausanne, Professor Stephane Garelli as well as Boom, Doom, Gloom protagonist and world-renowned investment guru Marc Faber from Hong Kong.

With a reputation as private equity's "Davos" meeting, where substantive issues are discussed by the private equity industry's top players, both on and off the platform, SuperReturn's annual event in Europe, now in its tenth year, has become an unmissable event for the global private industry, attracting some 2000 delegates to Germany each year for a four day event. No other private equity event in the world is supported by such powerful global leaders.

Building on this track record, SuperReturn has come to the Gulf region with an exceptional programme that mixes 80 noteworthy regional and international speakers to take part in a mix of keynote speeches, leadership interviews, panel discussions, plenary sessions and master classes. SuperReturn Middle East has already attracted registrations from global and regional private equity business leaders and practitioners, major investors from across the GCC, fund of funds, advisors, lawyers and senior finance professionals, all aware that the region is not only a critical source of funds, but a market laden with serious opportunity.

With more than 350 delegates already registered, SuperReturn Middle East has already broken records for an inaugural private equity event in the region.

The wide ranging programme covers both global and regional perspectives, including exclusive new survey data on the impact of private equity on GGC family businesses, (utilising electronic polling) interviews, highly informed questioners and chairmen, extended masterclass sessions and a post-conference workshop led by the founder of McKinsey's global private equity practice. The event will also incorporate unparalleled networking opportunities including a Gala dinner at Bab Al Shams, an exclusive LP dinner and off-the-record lunches for personal and private interface.

Supported by three principal partners, the global alternative asset manager Investcorp, the Gulf private equity firm Ithmar Capital and the US private equity firm Thomas H Lee Partners, SuperReturn Middle East will take place from 10th-12th December 2007 at the Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Dubai.